Expect a popular backlash if India's government raises diesel prices to halt the subsidy drain on its finances.

Australia called on the world to match its tough new anti-tobacco marketing laws after its highest court on Wednesday dismissed a challenge from global cigarette companies, although few of Asia's emerging economies appeared likely to follow suit.

By Matt Daily

Aug 14 (Reuters) - As solar panel prices continue to marchlower, Chinese solar companies are struggling with heavy debtloads, triggering expectations many will be forced to seek a newinfusion of funds through takeovers or mergers.

Suntech Power Holdings could be liable for hundredsof millions in new payments after it disclosed a potential fraudby a partner, while peers such as LDK Solar, JA SolarHoldings Co, Trina Solar and Yingli GreenEnergy Holding Co are also feeling pressure.

India's wholesale inflation unexpectedly fell in July to a near three-year low but economists doubt the drop will be enough to persuade the central bank to cut interest rates at its September meeting to try to revive the struggling economy.

India has joined Japan in offering government-backed insurance for ships carrying Iranian crude in order to bypass European sanctions that have nearly halved Iranian oil exports to key markets.

HSBC won a legal bid on Monday to clear out anti-capitalist protesters from a public space below the bank's Asian headquarters in the Hong Kong.

Japan's economy expanded just 0.3% in April-June, half the pace expected, raising doubts about the strength of the recovery.

India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. may lift about 2 million barrels of crude from Iran in August, it said.

China's July trade growth suffered an unexpectedly sharp decline in a new sign of weakness for the world economy.

China's growth in factory output fell to a three-year low in July and retail sales weakened, suggesting Beijing might need to launch more stimulus efforts to reverse a painful slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.